Ben Dugan was Mitchell Pritchett's old drama club friend from High School.
In "Travels with Scout", he encountered Jay Pritchett when he was taking Manny to the dentist. Ben told him that he kept acting and was starring in a new film named Maple Drive. Jay, not knowing that it was a horror film, decided to take Manny to the film. Manny was completely frightened by the movie. While Jay was fixing the broken doorbell (which repeatedly rang), Manny thought that it was a demon and got his fencing sword. Jay promised Gloria that his fear would only last a while, although he realized that they had to do something when Manny began sleeping in their bed. He then asked Ben to come to show Manny how likable he was and not scared anymore. When Ben arrived, he knocked on the window since the doorbell still did not work. Manny noticed him, and when Ben noticed him, he said "Are you Manny? I'm here for you." Due to the lighting on his face and his fake machete, Manny became especially frightened of him and rushed upstairs, much to Jay's disbelief.